MARCH 2019 NEWS IN PARKINSON’S​

JOURNAL OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE

The Journal reports that neurological disorders are now the leading cause of disability globally, and the fastest growing neurological disorder is PD. Driven principally by aging, the number afflicted is projected to double by 2040. Additional factors including increasing longevity, declining smoking rates – risk of PD declines in smoker by approx. 40% - and increasing industrialization – specific pesticides, solvents and heavy metals have been linked to PD – may accelerate those projections.

The call is for to form a PACT to Prevent the disease, Advocate for polies and resources aimed at slowing its spread, Care for all those affected, and Treat with effective and novel therapies. The coming pandemic is preventable, not inevitable conclude the authors.

PARKINSON’S NEWS TODAY FORUM

While PD has many symptoms, the most noticeable which is tremors. Other less discussed symptoms may be evident and cause trains in relationships. Intimacy difficulty is one of these. Most people with PD are aware that intimacy can be a issue for a number of reasons. One may be an unintentional lack of interest on the part of the person with PD. Another may be pain of discomfort and another may be the inability to “perform”. Any of these reasons can disrupt relationships and send messages of rejection or undesirability or unloved to the one’s partner. AS many as 70-80% of those with PD suffer sexual dysfunction.

The article goes on to implore PD sufferers to talk to their partner or spouse – a frank and honest discussion about the effects of PD on intimacy and how to overcome it in everyday life is critical. Seeking professional help to help these discussions may also be helpful.